Public Transit in the GTA, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

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The Orion V Bus

(Last Modified on April 9, 2017 12:55 PM)

Click on the diagram to see a full schematic

Text by James Bow and Robert Lubinski
Additional contributions by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos

A Heavy Duty Model

In the early 1990s, Ontario Bus Industries began looking for a new design to replace its aging Orion I vehicles. Mindful of transit agencies’ desire for a bus able to serve heavy duty routes, as well as stinging from the corrosion problems that afflicted the Orion IIIs, OBI upgraded their design. The result was the Orion V, a 40 foot bus that was six inches wider than previous models and more solidly built.

The first Orion V was produced in 1989 for Mississauga Transit. Orion would continue to produce this model until late 2008, making it one of the longest running models of the company. The Orion V was one of the earliest models of buses in North America to use compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel. In 1996, a prototype diesel-electric hybrid Orion V was produced in conjunction with General Electric. Another hybrid Orion V was built in 2003 and currently runs for Fresno Area Express in Fresno, California.

The Orion V is also available in a suburban/commuter configuration with a single door, reclining seats, and parcel racks. Agencies running them today are in places such as York Region, Niagara Falls, Regina, Vancouver, New York City, Washington, and many more. The final orders of the Orion V in 2008 were for Translink as the last built for an Canadian transit agency, Bee-Line in Westchester County, New York for diesels, and Sonoma County Transit for CNG-powered buses.

The Workhorses

Through 1991 and 1992, the Toronto Transit Commission took delivery of 106 Orion Vs, replacing the commission’s older GM ‘New Look’ models. The Orion Vs were numbered 6640-6745 and came equipped with air conditioning, power steering, vandal-proof seats and easier accessibility features (but not wheelchair lifts). The buses of this class were originally allocated in three groups to Birchmount, Queensway and Davenport divisions. During their career, they were also operated out of Eglinton and Malvern divisions and were eventually split between Birchmount and Queensway divisions. With the opening of the Mount Dennis division in November 2008, the Orion Vs were consolidated there until their retirement. The last bus of this class (6734) was retired in April 2010.

The Compressed Natural Gas Experiment

TTC also ordered 25 Orion Vs powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel which were based out of the Wilson division (numbered 9370-9394). At the time, the provincial government and Ontario Bus Industries promised that the new fuel would offer significant reductions in emissions, which could allow these buses to replace the TTC’s aging trolley bus fleet. Unfortunately, these buses did not live up to their promise. The buses required a special fuelling station, and safety issues from the tank and how the gas behaved in the event of a leak prevented the TTC from running these buses into certain subway station bus terminals.

After the turn of the century, the TTC began phasing out its natural gas fuel program, converting some of the CNG buses to diesel operation, using Cummins M11 engines. Bus 9402 was the first to be converted, receiving a new diesel engine (from a retired Flyer D40-90) in the summer of 2002. Bus 9400 was converted in early 2004 and the rest followed shortly afterward.

The Orion V Buses Get a Lift

In 1996, the TTC launched an effort to establish fully-accessible bus service on its surface network. Buses with wheelchair lifts could allow passengers on wheelchairs to travel on regular service routes, rather than relying on WheelTrans. A total of 185 Orion V buses were ordered, each with these lifts. Of these, 135 (numbered 7000-7134) were diesel-powered while the remaining 50 (numbered 9400-9449) were powered by compressed natural gas. The diesel buses were assigned to Arrow Road and Malvern divisions, where they replaced the aging and dilapidated Orion III articulated buses. The CNG buses were assigned to Wilson garage.

These buses were also the first to be equipped with Luminator’s “MegaMax” destination signs, offering more flip-dots to provide greater visibility for passengers looking to see where their bus was heading. As with the earlier Orion V series, these buses were equipped with air conditioning and enhanced passenger assistance features.

The 50 CNG buses were initially part of an order for 100 CNG-powered Orion VI low floor accessible buses, but because these buses took too long to manufacture and deliver, and the TTC was desperate for equipment to handle rising ridership, half of this order was changed to lift-equipped Orion Vs instead.

Waning Years

When the new Eglinton garage was opened off Comstock Road in 2002, a number of Orion V lift-equipped buses were reassigned to the new division to provide accessible service on several downtown routes for the first time.. At the same time, these buses went through their mid-life rebuilds, ensuring reliable operation for the next few years. As the Orion VIIs started to appear later that decade, however, the Orion Vs were consolidated at Malvern division, and generally operated in the eastern and northern parts of the series.

By 2011, as the last non-accessible buses were removed from service, replaced by low-floor buses, the Orion Vs days were numbered. The consensus was that ramp-equipped low-floor buses were better and more accessible than lift-equipped buses, but the Orion Vs still had more miles in them. As the NovaBus low-floor LFS articulated buses started arriving in 2013, the Orion Vs started to be retired. Railfans set up a number of farewell charters, marking the end of high-floor bus operation on the TTC. Soon, they were operated as rush hour extras, and #7106 was assigned to Toronto Island.

On February 15, 2015, the last Orion Vs operating out of Malvern garage were retired, but the remainder operating out of Wilson garage remained in service due to problems with the Orion VII hybrid buses keeping a number out of service. The need for increased service during the 2015 Pan-Am games provided another late stay of execution. As of October 2015, thirty remained in service.

Orion V Image Archive

End of the road for these Orion V vehicles, which were the workhorses for the Toronto Transit Commission since 1989 and one of the last high floor coaches in revenue service. As Hillcrest Complex reached its overcapacity, many of the retired vehicles were stored out of Birchmount before hauling away for scrap. Here, on November 18, 2015, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos took Orion V ex-CNG buses #9422, #9445, #9436, #9429, #9401 and #9412 along with four unknown Orion VII hybrids and Orion VII #7725 parked on a cold, blistering afternoon at Birchmount Garage.

While heading north on Birchmount to Steeles, TTC Orion V #6711 stops to let passengers alight at Bonniewood Road. Photo taken on July 18, 2008 by Andrew Barton.

TTC Orion V bus #6717 prepares to turn from Main Street onto Gerrard, in service on 135 GERRARD in this April 2001 shot. Photo by Rob Hutchinson.

TTC Orion V bus #6719 pauses at Dundas West station in service on 168 SYMINGTON on March 29, 2009. Photo by Rob Hutchinson.

TTC Orion V 6720 runs eastbound on Danforth at Dawes on a 113 DANFORTH run to Kennedy Station. Photo by David Cavlovic.

During a cloudy day on April 14, 1993, Paul A. Bateson provided this photo of TTC Orion V bus #6725 viewed west on Steeles Avenue East heading eastbound to Middlefield loop passing by Brimley Road on route 53A STEELES EAST.

At the Rouge Hill GO station bus loop, TTC Orion V bus #6731 is seen here operating on route 13 ROUGE HILL on this photo taken by Paul A. Bateson on April 14, 1993.

TTC Orion V bus #7023 loading passenger at Finch station on the lengthy 60D STEELES WEST run to Highway 27. A Malvern Orion VI can be seen in the background alighting passengers at the subway end of its 39D FINCH EAST run. Photo by David Cavlovic.

TTC Orion V 7060 Lift Equip making an appearance after originally working as a Toronto Island Shuttle Bus, is seen on Route 131E Nugget Express heading to Kennedy Station and Scarborough Centre. Taken on January 20th, 2015, by Lex Reid.

TTC Orion V #7127 makes an appearance along on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route on January 7th, 2015. Photo: TorontoTransportGuy

One of the remaining lift-equipped Orion Vs built in 1996 as of this photo, TTC Orion V bus #7127 seen on a layover on the 131E NUGGET EXPRESS. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on the afternoon of December 9, 2014.

TTC Orion V bus #7128 pulls up to Bathurst Street, operating eastbound on Bloor in service on the 300 BLOOR-DANFORTH NIGHT route on October 10, 2008. Photo by Rob Hutchinson.

Orions were a common visitor to Finch station. Here, TTC Orion V 7132 is pulling away from the 39D FINCH EAST bus bay for a long journey east. Photo by David Cavlovic.

A gloomy winter's day as TTC Orion V 7048 heads to Neilson Road along the 39 FINCH EAST route. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.

TTC Orion V bus 8043 departs Islington station heading south to Long Branch. This photo was taken by Roman Fomin on December 14, 2011.

TTC Orion V CNG #9371 is seen on rt. 10E VAN HORNE EXPRESS, passing the busy intersection of Sheppard and Bayview during the afternoon rush hour. Photo taken by Felix Tse on June 10, 1999.

TTC Orion V 9382 kicking up water northbound on Dufferin crossing Finch. Photo by David Cavlovic.

A misty Monday wet spring view of TTC Orion V CNG re-build 9389 on the 117 Alness route northbound on Wilson Heights, about to turn west onto Kennard in order to get on to Allen Road. Photo by David Cavlovic.

TTC Orion V 9389 pulls up to the stop on Allen Road at Overbrook, in service on the 117 ALNESS route. Photo by David Cavlovic.

Jeffrey Kay supplies this shot of TTC Natural Gas bus 9401 operating in the Common Area at York University.

Angelo Bowers captured this posed photograph of Orion V Natural Gas 9405 departing Wilson Garage for service on the 139 HUNTINGWOOD Route. At this time, 139 did not run out of Wilson Garage, but rather Malvern. Photo donated by Brad O'Brien.

Photographer Lex Reid was there when TTC Orion V Ex-CNG 9409 made an odd Sunday appearance along the 125 DREWRY route on May 17, 2015. Here, it arrives at Finch Station, before making its short journey back to Torresdale Road, west of Bathurst Street.

TTC Orion V bus #9412 is seen here in the off-street loop on McCowan Road just north of Steeles, in service on 302 DANFORTH-McCOWAN BLUE NIGHT on Monday, July 16, 2012. The photo is by TransitFan88 and is used with permission. Bus #9412 is based out of Wilson division, and so is not a usual visitor to this route, which is based out of Birchmount garage.

TTC Orion V bus #9414 pulls away from its berth at Finch station's bus terminal for another run on 125 DREWRY on May 29, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V CNG #9414 returned to active service in spring 1998 after receiving a new gas tank. Here it is seen running on 7C BATHURST service at Bathurst Station. The photo was taken in April 1998 by Fred Tang.

TTC Orion V 9422 on Route 106 York University at Downsview Station Taken on March 15th, 2015 Taken by Lex Reid.

TTC Orion V bus #9423 pulls up to its stop at Wilson station, in service on 29 DUFFERIN on May 17, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V bus #9425 pulls away from its berth at Downsview station, in service on 104 FAYWOOD on May 29, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V bus #9426 heads northbound on Yonge Street, approaching Bloor, early Sunday morning on June 21, 2015, in service on the 320 YONGE NIGHT bus. Photo by William Busuttil.

On a rainy day TTC Orion V 9429 just arriving from Teston Rd at Downsview Station on route 107 KEELE NORTH. Taken on May 30th, 2015, by Lex Reid.

TTC Orion V "ex-CNG" bus #9430 seen in service on the 501 QUEEN shuttle west to Shaw Street. Photo taken by Sammi De Guzman on December 3, 2015, a day before the last high floor buses retired.

Larry Batzakis shot this view of Orion V #9432 serving the 88 SOUTH LEASIDE route on August 19, 2015. Buses dropped off and picked up passengers on Pleasant Boulevard outside of St. Clair Station's lower bus loop while TTC contractors rebuilt the loop.

TTC Orion V bus #9432 pauses at the bus loop at Warden and Steeles, in service on the 324 VICTORIA PARK NIGHT route on August 24, 2010. Photo by Rob Hutchinson.

TTC Orion V CNG (turned diesel) bus #9436 seen in service on route 75 SHERBOURNE on Sherbourne Street and Bloor Street East on December 17, 2014. Photo by Flickr user “booledozer”.

TTC Orion V bus #9436 pulls up to Leslie Street, westbound on Cummer in 42 CUMMER service on May 25, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

A departing shot of TTC Orion V bus 9436 as it pulls out to cross Leslie Street, westbound in 42 CUMMER service on May 25, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V CNG bus #9438 seen westbound on the intersection of Richmond Street West and University Avenue running on the 136 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA WYNFORD service in July 1998. Photo taken by Bob Hussey.

TTC Orion V bus Route 9438 enters the newly built Dufferin underpass north of Queen Street on its way to Wilson station in this November 2010 shot. Photo by Jeffrey Kay.

TTC Orion V bus #9438 is seen here operating southbound on Leslie at Finch in 51 LESLIE service. It will short turn at Leslie station. This photo was taken on June 17, 2015 by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V bus #9438 operates in service on the 115 SILVER HILLS route on October 23, 2015. Photo by Larry Batzakis.

On a sunny day September 15, 2015, TTC Orion V (ex-CNG) bus #9439 poses on the 169A HUNTINGWOOD route at the Scarborough Centre Terminal. This photo is taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.

TTC Orion V bus #9439 is seen laying over at Downsview station in service on 107 KEELE NORTH on May 18, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.

TTC Orion V CNG 9440 is at its halfway point on 98 WILLOWDALE-SENLAC service at Sheppard station, about to head up Willowdale Avenue. Notice the temporary boarding location. Photo by David Cavlovic.

TTC Orion V bus #9441 is seen heading southbound on 51 LESLIE at the intersection of Finch and Leslie (looking north). Photo taken by Flame Cube on June 11, 2015.

TorontoTransportGuy caught this view of TTC Orion V Ex-CNG 9442 at Scarborough Centre Station about to head along the 199 FINCH ROCKET route to Finch Station.

TTC Orion V ex-CNG bus #9442 seen arriving at Scarborough Centre station operating on the 199 FINCH ROCKET service on this December 29, 2014 photo. With the declining numbers of the #7000-series buses and issues with the hybrids, a few of the #9400-series arrived at Malvern in late December 2014. This shot was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.

TTC Orion V 9443 Lift Equip serving the Scarborough RT Shuttle after being taken off the 107 Keele North on February 17th, 2015 Taken by Lex Reid

TTC Orion V 9444 Lift Equip on Route 105 Dufferin North at Downsview Station, heading to Steeles. Taken on March 15th, 2015. Taken by Lex Reid.

TTC Orion V Ex-CNG 9444 on Route 53 STEELES EAST at Finch Station heading to Staines. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.

TTC Orion V Ex-CNG 9444 poses at Finch Station for photographer TorontoTransportGuy. The bus just arrived from Scarborough Centre along the 199 FINCH ROCKET route.

The TTC started operating buses along the 196B branch of the 196 YORK UNIVERSITY ROCKET route between Sheppard - Yonge Station and York University May 10, 2015. Here's Orion V Ex-CNG 9445 at Sheppard - Yonge Station on May 17, 2015, the first Orion V to operate on this branch. Photo: Lex Reid.

TTC Orion V Ex-CNG 9445, on duty for 131 NUGGET route passengers, lays over at Scarborough Center Station before heading to Old Finch and Morningview. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.

TTC Orion V bus #9449, is seen here out of service at Spadina station's bus terminal on July 17, 2013. Photo by Mark David.

Internal mechanics on the Orion V bus breaks up the back seat. People have to be warned not to sit here. This photo was taken on bus #7073 on Friday, August 29, 2014. Photo by James Bow.

TTC Orion V bus #7133 is seen sitting in the deadline at Hillcrest yard in April 2014, waiting to be auctioned off sans engine and transmission. Photo donated by T6A5.

A busy rush hour long finished, rebuilt Orion V CNG 9377 rests at its 160 BATHURST NORTH bus bay at Wilson Stn. before heading north on a quieter journey to Centre Street in Vaughan. Photo by David Cavlovic.

TTC Orion V bus #9400 is seen at Dufferin and Davenport while working an Exhibition bound 29 service, on May 18, 2012. Photo donated by T6A5.

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